7 Ways to Create Your Summer Western Wedding

If you want a unique summer wedding, why not go western? Here are some tips on how to create the western wedding of your dreams.

Location:
A barn or saloon would be a great place to have a western wedding. Ranches make great space for a reception area, or if you can stand the heat, the desert is a vast open space great for a big open western wedding. If you want to go even more rustic, a mountain top ceremony screams western.

Wedding decor:
Western colors are all natural. Think of earthy tones and animal prints, such as cow or snake, when choosing your colors and patterns. Burlap can be used in all sorts of different was to create a rustic feel. Use burlap for table runners or even accent your bouquets. Horseshoes, saddles, and cowboy hats are all symbols that say western. The natural outdoors themselves create the best decor for a western wedding. Create a rustic look with old wooden tables. Decorate with rope and use natural fabrics such as muslin, or even leather.

Invitations and Stationary:
You can create an old weathered look with your paper by simply tearing along the edges and rubbing a brown ink pad along the edges. This makes the paper look worn or even like it was burnt along the edges. There are all sorts of western fonts to choose from. Look at one of those old ‘wanted’ posters to get the idea. Leather cording and a wax seal are very western.

The Dress
There are many different eras that can be considered western. Old western dresses are more formal and less revealing. Sometimes the neckline on an old western dress is a turtle neck with lace around the bust. The skirt is tiered with lace and worn with boots. For a damsel in distress look, wear an open bust with a corset, a choker around the neck with a large pendant and a parasol, or you can always sport a cowboy hat down the aisle.

Games:
Want to make your wedding authentically western? Then play some authentic western games at your reception. Everyone knows how to play horseshoes. If you’re inclined to shooting, a shooting range would make great fun. Lassoing is also a time honored western tradition and something fun for your guests to try and laugh at themselves and each other. Poker is a great traditional western game and it won’t cost you a lot to get the supplies. Perhaps play for wedding favors or just plain favors, so as not to create a ruckus at your own wedding.

Transportation:
If your dress allows it, nothing says western more than a saddled horse. You can even include them in the ceremony as ring bearers. A carriage might be a cleaner approach since it doesn’t necessarily have to be pulled by a horse. You can hook up a bicycle or even a car.

Food :
Meat! A good steak and some potatoes are very western. Barbecue will add to a rustic setting. Serve different whiskey drinks in small glass tumblers or beer in metal mugs.